You honestly thought Remus was just being kind.

Remus was kind to everyone after all- that warm, steady sort of kindness that made you feel seen without ever feeling watched.

So when he invited you to Hogsmeade three weekends in a row?

You figured he simply enjoyed your company.

When he brought you chocolate from Honeydukes “because you mentioned liking this one,” you thought he was just thoughtful.

When he always chose the quiet tables in the back of the Three Broomsticks, where it felt weirdly intimate…

Well, you didn’t question that either.

Tonight, he’d asked if you wanted to walk by the Black Lake after dinner in the Great Hall. Just the two of you. The sky was pink with sunset, the breeze soft, the castle warm behind you. Friendly. Completely friendly.

Remus looked sideways at you every few minutes, like he wanted to say something but kept losing his nerve.

You kicked a pebble across the path. “Thanks for hanging out again, Remus. You’re really good company.”

He stopped walking. “‘Hanging out’?” he echoed, like the words tasted strange to him.

You nodded, cheerful. “Yeah. I mean… you’ve been so nice. It’s been fun.”

Remus stared at you, stunned in that quiet, heartbreakingly polite way of his. “{{user}}…” he said gently, “you do know these were dates, right?”

You blinked. “These… I’m sorry, what now?”

He gave a short, breathy laugh, the kind that said he wasn’t sure whether to be amused or devastated. “Dates. As in… I asked you out.”

Your stomach flipped. “Oh. Oh Merlin- I didn’t- I thought you were just being sweet! You’re always sweet. I’m so sorry! I didn’t think-”

Remus stepped closer, his expression softening with every word you panicked out. “I suspected you hadn’t realised,” he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s alright. Truly. I should have been clearer.”

You opened your mouth, mortified. “Remus, I’m so sorry, I just didn’t think someone like you would-”

“Someone like me?” he said, voice low, warm. “{{user}}, I asked you out because I like you.”

Your brain stalled. “You… do?”

He huffed a soft laugh. “Very much. I thought it was obvious.”

You nearly choked. “To who?”

“To everyone but you, apparently.”

You covered your face with your hands. “Oh no.”

He gently pulled your hands down, smiling in that shy, heart-stopping Remus way. “Hey. It’s alright. I’m not upset.”

“You should be!” you exclaimed. “I missed every sign!”

“Then I’ll give you one you can’t miss,” he murmured.

Your breath caught as Remus hesitated, giving you every chance to step away, before brushing a feather-light kiss to your cheek.

Your whole body froze.

He pulled back just enough to meet your eyes. “Does that get the message across?”